| 释义 |
noun | verb debatedebate1 /dɪˈbeɪt/ ●●○ S3 W2 AWL noun verbs► have a debate Now that we have the facts, we can have a genuine debate about the issue. ► get into a debate I don’t want to get into a debate about the details of the plan. ► provoke/spark/trigger debate (also stimulate/fuel debate formal) (=cause a debate to start) The event provoked fierce debate about freedom of speech. ► be drawn/dragged into a debate The president’s wife refused to be drawn into the debate. ► stifle debate (=prevent people from having a debate) He was accused of trying to stifle debate about the war. ► reignite/reopen a debate (=cause it to start again) Her comments have reignited the debate over politicians’ pay. ► shape/influence a debate You can help shape the debate on the future of our cities. ► a debate continues The debate continues over whether the government should send more troops to the region. ► a debate rages (=happens over a period of time and involves strong feelings) A national debate is now raging over the level of crime by young people. ► a debate centers/focuses on something The debate centered on the question of whether he was responsible for his actions. ► a debate concerns/surrounds something There is considerable debate surrounding the bank’s actions. ► something dominates a debate (=is the most discussed subject) Health care reform continues to dominate the public debate. adjectives► considerable debate There has been considerable debate about the way to fund universities. ► lively/spirited debate (=interesting and involving a lot of different opinions) The conference produced some lively debate. ► intense/vigorous debate (=in which people put forward strong and different arguments) Nuclear power has been the subject of intense debate. ► a heated/fierce/raging etc. debate (=in which people express strong opinions in an angry way) There has been a fierce debate over the reasons for the war. ► a wider debate (=involving more people or a more general discussion) The issue of an aging population should be part of a wider debate about health care. ► a public debate (=in which people put forward their ideas publicly so that everyone can form an opinion) He called for a public debate on racism in society. ► a national debate It is time to start a national debate on the future of education. ► political debate There has been a great deal of political debate on Social Security reform. ► ongoing/continuing debate (=still continuing) There is an ongoing debate about the best way to deal with immigration. ► a long-running debate His comments are part of a long-running debate about religious freedom. ► endless debate (=continuing for so long that it becomes annoying) The subject of violence on television is a source of endless debate. ► open/honest debate What we need is open debate on voting reform. ► genuine debate There has been a lack of genuine debate about the issue. ► a televised debate It was the first televised debate between party leaders. THESAURUSthe act of discussing something, or a conversation in which people discuss something► discussionthe act of discussing something, or a conversation in which people discuss something: My parents were having a heated discussion about money. ► negotiations official discussions between two groups who are trying to agree on something: Contract negotiations are continuing between the union and the management. ► debate a formal discussion of a subject, during which people express different opinions: The debate between the presidential candidates will be shown live on TV. ► talks formal discussions between governments, organizations, etc.: The U.S. will host the peace talks. ► conference a large formal meeting at which members of an organization, profession, etc. discuss things related to their work: The annual conference for software developers is held in San Francisco. ► dialogue a formal discussion between countries or groups with opposing views, which is done in order to solve problems: We want to encourage dialogue between the two nations. 1[countable, uncountable] discussion or argument about a subject on which people have different opinions: debate on/over/about The public debate on health care is ongoing.debate between/among There is likely to be fierce debate between the two parties on this issue.debate within There has been heated debate (=involving strong opinions) within the Church over the bishop’s comments.debate as to There is some debate as to the exact number of people killed.up for debate (=able or planned to be discussed) Resolutions up for debate include raising the minimum wage. The book has sparked a debate about nuclear power (=started one).► see thesaurus at discussion2[countable] a)a formal discussion in which people have a chance to give their opinions, often one that has a set of rules controlling who can speak, when they can speak, and for how long: The rules were approved after an intense debate in the Senate.debate on/about Congress has once again delayed debate on the bill.under debate (=being discussed) The question of a third airport is still under debate. b)a competition in which two people or teams have a debate in front of an audience, in order to decide whose ideas are best: the school’s debate teamhave/hold a debate The Press Club will hold a presidential debate for the two candidates next month.3be open/subject to debate (also be a matter for debate) if an idea is open to debate, no one has proved yet whether it is true or false: The question of what a “reasonable price” is, is still open to debate.COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2verbshave a debate Now that we have the facts, we can have a genuine debate about the issue.get into a debate I don’t want to get into a debate about the details of the plan.provoke/spark/trigger debate (also stimulate/fuel debate formal) (=cause a debate to start) The event provoked fierce debate about freedom of speech.be drawn/dragged into a debate The president’s wife refused to be drawn into the debate.stifle debate (=prevent people from having a debate) He was accused of trying to stifle debate about the war.reignite/reopen a debate (=cause it to start again) Her comments have reignited the debate over politicians’ pay.shape/influence a debate You can help shape the debate on the future of our cities.a debate continues The debate continues over whether the government should send more troops to the region.a debate rages (=happens over a period of time and involves strong feelings) A national debate is now raging over the level of crime by young people.a debate centers/focuses on something The debate centered on the question of whether he was responsible for his actions.a debate concerns/surrounds something There is considerable debate surrounding the bank’s actions.something dominates a debate (=is the most discussed subject) Health care reform continues to dominate the public debate.adjectivesconsiderable debate There has been considerable debate about the way to fund universities.lively/spirited debate (=interesting and involving a lot of different opinions) The conference produced some lively debate.intense/vigorous debate (=in which people put forward strong and different arguments) Nuclear power has been the subject of intense debate.a heated/fierce/raging etc. debate (=in which people express strong opinions in an angry way) There has been a fierce debate over the reasons for the war.a wider debate (=involving more people or a more general discussion) The issue of an aging population should be part of a wider debate about health care.a public debate (=in which people put forward their ideas publicly so that everyone can form an opinion) He called for a public debate on racism in society.a national debate It is time to start a national debate on the future of education.political debate There has been a great deal of political debate on Social Security reform.ongoing/continuing debate (=still continuing) There is an ongoing debate about the best way to deal with immigration.a long-running debate His comments are part of a long-running debate about religious freedom.endless debate (=continuing for so long that it becomes annoying) The subject of violence on television is a source of endless debate.open/honest debate What we need is open debate on voting reform.genuine debate There has been a lack of genuine debate about the issue.a televised debate It was the first televised debate between party leaders. noun | verb debatedebate2 ●●○ AWL verb [intransitive, transitive] ETYMOLOGYdebate2Origin: 1200-1300 Old French debatre, from batre to hit VERB TABLEdebate |
| Present | I, you, we, they | debate | | he, she, it | debates | | Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | debated | | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have debated | | he, she, it | has debated | | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had debated | | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will debate | | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have debated |
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| Present | I | am debating | | he, she, it | is debating | | you, we, they | are debating | | Past | I, he, she, it | was debating | | you, we, they | were debating | | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been debating | | he, she, it | has been debating | | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been debating | | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be debating | | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been debating |
► hotly debated Her conclusions are hotly debated (=argued about strongly) among academics. THESAURUSto talk about something with someone or a group in order to exchange ideas or decide something► discussto talk about something with someone or a group in order to exchange ideas or decide something: Can we discuss this later? The two leaders discussed a range of issues. ► talk something over to discuss something in an informal situation: I wouldn’t buy a new car without talking it over with my wife. ► debate to discuss the possible choices of what to do before choosing the best one: We’re still debating what to give Maddie for graduation. ► bargain to discuss something with someone in order to come to an agreement in which each side gets something that it wants: The country’s leaders tried to bargain with the rebels for the release of the prisoners. ► negotiate to discuss something in order to come to an agreement. Used especially about politics and business: Union leaders are negotiating with management, and a new contract is expected soon. ► confer formal to discuss something with someone else, in order to get his or her opinion: The man conferred privately with his lawyer for a few minutes before answering the police officer’s question. ► consult formal to discuss something with someone in order to get advice or information: The president consulted with European leaders before taking action. 1to discuss a subject formally with someone when you are trying to make a decision or find a solution: The matter will be debated by the General Assembly.debate whether/what/how etc. (to do something) The council will debate whether to open the park to nonresidents. Her conclusions are hotly debated (=argued about strongly) among academics.► see thesaurus at discuss2to consider something carefully before making a decision: debate what/how etc. (to do something) I’m still debating what to do.debate doing something For a moment she debated telling Rick the truth.3to take part in a debate in front of an audience: The candidates will debate on national television. [Origin: 1200–1300 Old French debatre, from batre to hit]—debater noun [countable]—debating noun [uncountable] |